Report on a New Truffle Species, Tuber koreanum sp. nov., from Korea

The truffle and ectomycorrhizal roots formed by Tuber sp. were collected from the rhizosphere of Quercus aliena in Korea. The morphological characteristics of the ascoma, and molecular phylogenetic analysis using sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) of ribosomal DNA, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF), and RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2) regions confirmed the distinct morphology of the truffle. This truffle belongs to a monophyletic clade among the other Tuber species in the phylogeny. This study describes the truffle, Tuber koreanum, as a new species reported from Korea.

Evaluation of Infection after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction during a Short Period

PURPOSE: We encountered 7 cases (7.1%) of infection (5 deep and 2 superficial) in 98 cases of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using hamstring autografts in a 17-month period. The aim of this study was to analyze the causes of infection and to introduce our treatment strategy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the shelf-life of the fixation implants, the order of surgery, previous knee surgery, infectious pathogen, treatment of infection, and results of treatment. RESULTS: There was no problem with the expiration date of the fixation implants. The order of surgery was either the last or second to the last of all those performed on the same day. One patient had undergone knee surgery 8 months previously. The treatment after infection included aggressive debridement in all cases. Revision ACL reconstruction with graft removal was performed in 1 case of persistent infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. All cases had satisfactory clinical results without recurrence during a mean 24.9 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We could not verify the exact cause of the high incidence of infection during the 17-month period. However, preventive measures are important to decrease the incidence of infection after ACL reconstruction.

Surgical Timing of Treating Pediatric Trauma: Urgencies/Emergencies

No abstract available.

Relationship Between Systemic Thrombogenic or Thrombolytic Indices and Acute Increase of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the correlations between changes in thrombogenesis or thrombolysis related factors, and the acute increase of a spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2009 to October 2011, 225 patients with sICH were admitted to our hospital within 24 hours of onset. Among them, 111 patients with hypertensive sICH were enrolled in this study. Thrombogenic or thrombolytic factors were checked at admission. The authors checked computed tomography (CT) scans at admission and followed up the next day (between 12-24 hours) or at any time when neurologic signs were aggravated. Cases in which the hematoma was enlarged more than 33% were defined as Group A and the others were defined as Group B. RESULTS: Group A included 30 patients (27%) and group B included 81 patients (73%). Factors including activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, fibrinogen, and D-dimer showed a greater increase in group A than in group B. Factors including antithrombin III, factor V, and factor X showed a greater increase in group A than in group B. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, it seems that the risk of increase in hematoma size can be predicted by serum thrombogenic or thrombolytic factors at admission.

The effect of hand dominance on neuromuscular monitoring at the adductor pollicis muscle / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular blockade of the adductor pollicis muscle may be influenced by hand dominance resulting in conflicting results of several studies. The current study examined whether hand dominance could influence the measurements of neuromuscular blockade with acceleromyography at the adductor pollicis. METHODS: The acceleromyographic responses from 0.6 mg/kg of rocuronium were monitored supramaximally in both hands in 31 patients after induction of anesthesia. Onset, maximum effect, and offset of rocuronium were measured and compared in both hands. The train-of-four (TOF) ratios to 0.9 were recorded in all patients. RESULTS: In total, 27 patients were right-handed and 4 patients were left-handed. The mean supramaximal threshold or initial TOF ratio was not different between dominant and nondominant hands. No statistically significant differences were found between 716 paired TOF ratios in both hands. A correlation was seen between the dominant and nondominant hand (Nondominant = 0.931.Dominant + 1.714, R = 0.929). The analysis by the Bland-Altman plot showed an excellent agreement with a bias of 1.6% and limits of agreement of -21.2 to 24.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Dominant and nondominant hands can be used interchangeably for neuromuscular monitoring at the adductor pollicis.

Early Results of Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty Using a Third Generation Alumina-on-Alumina Bearing Surface / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the early results and occurrence of complications of cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) using an alumina-on-alumina articulation with a minimum follow up period of three years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively followed 108 patients (121 hips) who underwent cementless THA using an alumina-on-alumina articulation. The mean age of the patients was 50.7 years (range, 20-80 years) and mean the follow up period was 48 months (range, 36-60 months). Preoperative diagnoses included osteonecrosis of the femoral head in 90 hips; secondary osteoarthritis due to hip dysplasia in 24 hips; secondary osteoarthritis after acetabular fracture in four hips; acute femoral neck fracture in three hips. Clinical evaluation was performed using Harris hip score (HHS) and radiographic evaluation was performed in terms of the fixation of components and the prevalence of osteolysis. In addition, we observed complications, including the occurrence of sound or fracture of the alumina head or liner. RESULTS: Mean HHS improved from 62.4 points to 94 points at final follow-up. Thigh discomfort was found in six hips and mild inguinal discomfort was found in eight hips. Both had disappeared within one year after operation. A clicking sound was detected in two patients. One hip had become dislocated and an alumina liner fracture had occurred in one hip. Loosening of component or osteolysis was not observed in any hip. The radiographic wear was not measurable. CONCLUSION: Early results of cementless THA using an alumina-on-alumina articulation were favorable, with osseointegration of the components and absence of periprosthetic osteolysis. However, longer-term follow up for a hip clicking sound and fracture of an alumina fracture are necessary.

A Case of Spontaneous Regression of Lumbar Synovial Cyst and Literature Review

There have been many reports about lumbar synovial cysts, discussing surgical or interventional treatment methods. However, there have been few reports about spontaneous regression of the cyst. We report a case of a lumbar synovial cyst that regressed spontaneously. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a spontaneously regressed lumbar synovial cyst in Korea. The patient was a 59-year-old man who presented with a 6-month history of insidious pain onset in the lower back and right buttock. Upon MRI of the lumbar spine, grade 1 spondylolisthesis was revealed at the L4-5 level. An about 6mm-sized extradural cyst was detected at the medial side of the right L4-5 facet joint. His symptoms were disappeared upon facet block with 0.5% bupivacaine bilaterally at the L4-5 level. Six years later, he revisited our clinic due to low back pain and left leg radiating pain. Upon lumbar MRI, aggravated L4-5 spondylolisthesis with left-side disc protrusion was observed. However, we could not find the synovial cyst around the right L4-5 facet joint that had existed 6 years prior. The patient was treated conservatively because he refused surgery.

A Case of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Diagnosed by a Peritoneoxcopy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a benign mucin producing tumor of the peritoneum which is usually diagnosed using a laparotomy. It is uncommon to find a case of pseudomyxoma peritonei which has been diagnosed using a peritoneoscopy in Korea; there are only two cases reported in the literature. We recently experienced a case of pseudomyxoma peritonei in a 61 year old woman who manifested a typical case using a peritoneoscopy. Thick, jelly-like materials were adherent to polypoid nodular masses of the parietal peritoneum, which originated from the mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of an ovary. In this report we discuss the case with relevant review of the literature.

The Clinical Analysis of Stereotactic Aspiration of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

To date no consensus has been reached regarding the suitability of surgical treatment for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, especially in deep seated cases. With the recent introduction of an alternative to conservative therapy, craniotomy or stereotactic aspiration, it has become even more difficult to determine which therapeutic approaches should be used. We used stereotactic aspiration technique under a local anesthesia instead of craniotomy to treat 48 patients, because we believe that better therapeutic results could be obtained by minimal invasion to the brain. In present study, we analysed the level of consciousness and clinical outcome, location and volume of hematoma, interval of operation from ictus, and rate of hematoma removal. Our series consist of 18 males and 30 females. The most prevalent age group of intracerebral hemorrhage patients were the 6th decades. The hematoma were located at basal ganglia in 75%, thalamus in 15%, pons in 8%, and lobar 2%. The prognosis was favorable in patients with good neurological grade at admission, but was unfavorable in those with large volume although the statistical difference was not significant. Rate of hematoma removal was high in the cases where operations performed after 4 days. The statistical difference between the time interval from hemorrhage to operation and prognosis was not significant. The overall mortality rate was 17%. These results seem to indicate that stereotactic aspiration may play a comparable indices in the treatment of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

Stereotactic Surgery of Neurocysticercosis

The authors had performed stereotactic surgery to diagnose and treat 2 cases of neurocysticercosis under the local anethesia. Generally, such the open surgery need a general anethesia which may increase the chance of brain parenchyml injury. However, the stereotactic surgery has the advantage of being an easy and precise procedure under local anethesia. The authors reviewed the literature and discussed the stereotactic surgery in the diagnosis, and treatment of neurocysticercosis.

Clinico-pathologic characteristics of gastric adenocarcinoma with increased serum alpha-fetoprotein / 대한암학회지

No abstract available.

Clinical analysis of 3rd Decade Male 47 Cases with Intracranial Tumors in Korea

The authors represented a clinical analysis of 3 rd decade male 47 patients with intracranial tumors who had been histologically confirmed after operation and biopsy at the department of neurosurgery of Capital Armed Forces General Hospital From Feb. 1985 to Jan, 1988. We classified the intracranial tumors according to Russell and Rubinstein's classification. The results were as follows: 1) Among the intracranial tumors, gliomas were found most frequently(40.4%), and followed by pituitary adenomas(19.2%), pinealomas(10.6%), osteomas(6.4%), medulloblastomas(4.3%), craniopharyngiomas(4.3%), blood vessel tumors(4.3%). Pituitary adenomas occupied 19.2% of all intracranial tumors and as a single entity these were the highest incidence. 2) Tumors of the pineal region constitutes 10.6% of intracranial tumors. It was relatively high incidence compared with other reports. 3) Intracranial tumors occurred more frequently in supratentorial region(85.1%). The most frequent location was sellar and parasellare region(23.4%), and followed by frontal(14.9%), parietal(12.7%), pineal gland(10.6%), temporal(8.5%), cerebellar region(8.5%) in order. 4) The most common duration of symptoms were within 3 months(42.6%). The main clinical symptoms and signs were headache(80.9%), nausea or/and vomiting(55.3%), papilledema(44.7%), so called symptoms triad of the brain tumor, and other ophthalmic symptoms, gait disturbance, motor dysfunction,cerebellar sign in order.

Clinical Analysis of Gun Shot and Explosive Injuried Patients of the Brain

A series of 24 cases of gun shot and explosive injuried patients of the brain is analyzed according to causes, types, operability, the relation between Glasgow coma scale(GCS) and operative mortality, associated injuries, complications and sequelae. The authors notice that gun shot and explosive injury of the brain are more worse than blunt head trauma because of injury mechanism by itself.

A Case of Oligodendroglioma in the Septum Pellucidum

The authors report a case of oligodendroglioma in the septum pellucidum. A 22-year-old male presented with symptoms of headache and decreased visual acuity. Simple skull series showed calcified density near the midline. Brain C-T scan revealed huge calcified mass involving right lateral ventricle, 3rd ventricle and obstructive hydrocephalus. The authors diagnosed oligodendroglioma in operative findings and pathologic examination.

A Case of Cystic Cavernous Hemangioma

We experienced a case of cavernous hemangioma suspected to cerebral cysticecosis. The 23-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital due to sudden severe headache and generalized tonic-clonic seizure. The computerized tomography showed multiple calcification of bilateral cerebral hemisphere, especially right, and cystic mass on right frontal area with mass effect. The mass was diagnosed cavernous hemangioma under the microscopic examination.

A Case of Thoracic Spinal Canal Stenosis

A compression of spinal cord or nerve roots is commonly seen sequale of acquired or congenital stenosis of the cervical of lumbar portions of the spine. The authors have treated a case of thoracic myelopathy associated with thoracic canal stenosis, which was diagnosed with thoracic myelography and thoracic C-T scan. The pathological findings was thickened ligament flavum, hypertrophied articular processes, narrow spinal canal and compression of spinal cord. It is suggested that the syndrome should be considered in any patient who has a thoracic myelopathy.